Romanian Supreme Court Notifies Constitutional Court About Pension, Salary Slash Bills

The decision was taken by majority, with 85 of 86 judges voting in favor of addressing the Constitutional Court.

The judges argued that the bill aiming to restore budgetary balance restricts a series of rights, such as the right to a wage, the right to unemployment, the right to a pension and the right to social assistance.

As for the bill reducing public pensions, the Supreme Court argued that articles 1, 3 and 12 eliminate the early retirement service pension for judges, in contradiction with article 124 section 3 of the Constitution, regarding the independence of judges. The early retirement service pension is granted to judges who retire before the legal retirement age. They must have at least 25 years of experience as a judge and receive the pension starting with the age of 60.